Fiber assisted emulsion system

Abstract

Emulsions, either water-in-oil or oil-in-water, may be formed by combining an aqueous component, a non-aqueous component and a surfactant in combination with fibers. The fibers decrease the time and energy required to form the emulsion and, in some cases, allow emulsion formation that would not be possible with the use of such fibers.

1 . A method for producing an emulsion comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a non-aqueous component;   (b) providing an aqueous component;   (c) providing a surfactant;   (d) providing fibers, and   (e) wherein said non-aqueous component, aqueous component, surfactant and fibers are combined to form the emulsion.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fibers have a first dimension in the range of approximately 2-100 microns and a second dimension in the range of approximately 50 microns or greater. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step (f) of removing said fibers from the emulsion. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said fibers are removed by filtration. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fibers are hydrophilic. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fibers and surfactant are combined with the aqueous component prior to combination with the non-aqueous component. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fibers are dispersible in the aqueous component. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said fibers are selected from the group comprising, polyesters, polyamides, novoloids, aramids, glasses, polyethylene terepthalates or polyamides. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fibers are hydrophobic. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fibers and surfactant are combined with the non-aqueous component prior to combination with the aqueous component. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , including the further step of combining a particulate material with the emulsion. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said particulate material is sand or ceramic particles. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous component, aqueous component, surfactant and fibers are combined in a continuous manner. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous component, aqueous component, surfactant and fibers are combined in a batch-process manner. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , including the further step (f) of pumping said emulsion into a wellbore. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous component, aqueous component, surfactant and fibers are combined in a wellbore. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said non-aqueous component, aqueous component, surfactant and fibers are agitated in a wellbore. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous component and said non-aqueous component are combined prior to combination with the surfactant and fibers. 
   
   
       19 . An emulsion having an internal phase and an external phase, comprising:
 (a) an aqueous component;   (b) a non-aqueous component;   (c) a surfactant; and   (d) fibers.   
   
   
       20 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein said emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion. 
   
   
       21 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein said emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion. 
   
   
       22 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein said external phase is crosslinked. 
   
   
       23 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein the external phase contains a viscosity-increasing agent. 
   
   
       24 . The emulsion of  claim 23 , wherein said viscosity increasing agent is a soluble polymer. 
   
   
       25 . The emulsion of  claim 24 , wherein said soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of: guar, modified guar, polyacrylamide polymer, polyacrylamide copolymers, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose or xanthan. 
   
   
       26 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein said non-aqueous component is selected from the group consisting of: diesel, kerosene, mineral oil, vegetable oil or crude oil. 
   
   
       27 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein said aqueous component comprises salt. 
   
   
       28 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , wherein said aqueous component comprises a polymer. 
   
   
       29 . The emulsion of  claim 19 , further comprising a reactive species. 
   
   
       30 . The emulsion of  claim 29 , wherein said reactive species is a crosslinking agent. 
   
   
       31 . The emulsion of  claim 30 , wherein said crosslinking agent is boric acid, sodium borate, a titanium complex, a zirconium complex or a dialdehyde. 
   
   
       32 . The emulsion of  claim 29 , wherein said reactive species is a cement-retarding agent. 
   
   
       33 . The emulsion of  claim 29 , wherein said reactive species is a pH modifier. 
   
   
       34 . The emulsion of  claim 29 , wherein said pH modifier is a buffer. 
   
   
       35 . An emulsion comprising:
 (a) about 0.1-2% of fibers (by weight);   (b) about 1-30% by volume of an aqueous component;   (c) about 70-98.7% by volume of a non-aqueous component; and   (d) about 0.2-2% surfactant.   
   
   
       36 . An emulsion comprising:
 (a) about 0.1-2% of fibers (by weight);   (b) about 1-30% by volume of an oil (non-aqueous) continuous phase;   (c) about 70-98.7% by volume of an aqueous) phase; and   (d) about 0.2-2% surfactant.